HYSKY Society Launches Industry-First Hydrogen Fire Safety Course Featuring Joby Aviation’s Hydrogen Flight Leader Raffaele Nicholas Russo
- HYSKY Society
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Comprehensive training program delivers technical expertise in hydrogen fire safety for aviation professionals, regulators, and engineers worldwide
Houston, TX — November 12, 2025 — HYSKY Society, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to decarbonizing aviation and aerospace with hydrogen, has announced the launch of its first Hydrogen Fire Safety Short Course (Online) — a groundbreaking educational program designed to equip aerospace engineers, regulators, and safety professionals with the technical foundation to manage hydrogen fire hazards in aviation.
Taught by Raffaele Nicholas Russo, the former leader behind Joby Aviation’s record-setting 523-mile hydrogen-electric flight and now Founder and CEO of Otter Stone Inc., this intensive course bridges cutting-edge hydrogen flight technology with the critical safety standards required to enable the next generation of zero-emission aviation.
The three-week, six-session program will run from December 2–18, 2025, providing 12 hours of live technical instruction and certification in hydrogen fire safety for aviation systems. The course is available globally via HYSKY Connect, with on-demand replays, downloadable materials, and Certificates of Completion issued by the HYSKY Society.
A First-of-Its-Kind Training for Hydrogen Aviation Fire Safety
Hydrogen propulsion is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of sustainable aviation. Yet, as Raffaele Russo’s experience leading hydrogen-electric flight development at Joby Aviation and later founding Otter Stone has shown, fire safety, permitting, and code compliance remain the largest bottlenecks to adoption.
The Hydrogen Fire Safety Short Course directly addresses this critical knowledge gap, providing participants with in-depth instruction on:
Hydrogen’s combustion properties — ignition, flammability, dispersion, and energy density in aviation contexts
Codes and standards from NFPA, ISO, and SAE, and how they apply to aircraft, hangars, and refueling infrastructure
Fire detection, suppression, and containment systems optimized for gaseous and liquid hydrogen (LH₂)
Storage and distribution safety for hydrogen fueling operations, including cryogenic containment and ventilation design
Aircraft and airport fire safety integration, including regulatory pathways for FAA and EASA compliance
Emergency response strategies, incident command coordination, and best practices for firefighting hydrogen fires
Each lecture combines engineering fundamentals with real-world case studies drawn from Joby Aviation’s hydrogen-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) program, ZeroAvia’s powertrain work, and Otter Stone’s fire safety compliance solutions.
Raffaele Nicholas Russo: From Joby’s Hydrogen Flight to Otter Stone Inc. to Hydrogen Fire Safety
Raffaele Nicholas Russo brings deep technical and regulatory expertise to the course. During his tenure at Joby Aviation, Russo served as Hydrogen Program Lead, overseeing development of the hydrogen-electric eVTOL — the aircraft that achieved Joby’s 523-mile record flight powered by liquid hydrogen and fuel cell systems developed by H2FLY, a Joby subsidiary.
Following that success, Russo founded OtterStone Inc., a hydrogen compliance technology company dedicated to streamlining NFPA, IFC, and ICC code compliance for hydrogen refueling and storage facilities. Otter Stone’s flagship software, H2Nomos, automates safety analysis and code validation for hydrogen projects, addressing one of aviation’s toughest challenges — obtaining permits and safety certification for hydrogen infrastructure.
“The hardest part of flying a hydrogen aircraft isn’t in the air — it’s on the ground,” said Russo. “Permitting, safety validation, and fire code compliance are what will enable this industry to scale. Through this course, we’re transferring that hard-won experience directly to the engineers and regulators shaping aviation’s future.”
Building the Technical Workforce for Hydrogen Aviation
The Hydrogen Fire Safety Short Course is the latest addition to HYSKY Society’s suite of professional development programs, which include:
By integrating this new fire safety curriculum into its education portfolio, HYSKY continues its mission to decarbonize flight safely and effectively. The Society emphasizes that fire safety literacy will be essential not only for OEMs and airframers but also for regulators, airport operators, MRO organizations, and emergency response teams.
“Hydrogen aviation cannot scale without a workforce that understands fire safety at the systems level,” said Danielle McLean, CEO and Founder of HYSKY Society. “This course delivers that foundation. We’re empowering the engineers and regulators who will write the next chapter of aviation safety and sustainability.”
Course Structure and Certification
The Hydrogen Fire Safety Short Course (Online) runs December 2–18, 2025, every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:00–2:00 p.m. CDT. All lectures will be hosted live on Zoom via HYSKY Connect and recorded for on-demand replay.
Course Outline
Week 1
Lecture 1: Introduction to Hydrogen Fire Hazards in Aviation — Dec 2
Lecture 2: Standards and Codes for Hydrogen Fire Safety — Dec 4
Week 2
Lecture 3: Fire Detection, Suppression, and Containment — Dec 9
Lecture 4: Hydrogen Storage and Distribution Safety — Dec 11
Week 3
Lecture 5: Aircraft and Airport Fire Safety Practices — Dec 16
Lecture 6: Emergency Response and Future Fire Safety Standards — Dec 18
Course Details
Duration: 3 weeks, 6 classes, 12 total hours
CEUs/PDHs: 1.2 CEU / 12 PDH
Non-member Price: $500 USD
HYSKY Connect VIP Member Price: $200 USD
Student Price: $200 USD
Certificate of Completion: Awarded by HYSKY Society
All participants gain access to downloadable slides, course notes, and post-session technical support from instructors via email.
Why Hydrogen Fire Safety Matters
Hydrogen’s high energy density and zero-carbon potential make it ideal for aviation — but its low ignition energy and wide flammability range introduce unique risks that differ significantly from conventional jet fuels.
As hydrogen aviation advances — from Joby Aviation’s record eVTOL flight to ZeroAvia’s hydrogen-electric fixed-wing demonstrations — fire safety standards and operational protocols must evolve in parallel. This course is designed to accelerate that process by translating complex codes and standards into practical engineering knowledge.
“Hydrogen fire safety isn’t just about preventing incidents — it’s about enabling confidence,” added McLean. “When regulators, engineers, and pilots understand the science, hydrogen aviation can scale responsibly and rapidly.”
Registration Now Open
Enrollment for the Hydrogen Fire Safety Short Course (Online) is now open through HYSKY Connect. Seats are limited, and demand from industry professionals is expected to be high.
👉 Register now: https://connect.hysky.org/spaces/21481798/page
Course Dates: December 2–18, 2025
Location: Online (Zoom via HYSKY Connect)
Certificate: Issued by HYSKY Society
About HYSKY Society
HYSKY Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to decarbonizing aviation and aerospace through hydrogen. Founded by Danielle McLean, HYSKY unites engineers, policymakers, and innovators across the hydrogen aviation ecosystem through six core programs:
HYSKY Monthly – free hydrogen aviation webinars
FLYING HY – annual in-person hydrogen aviation event
HYSKY Pod – podcast featuring global leaders in climate tech and aerospace
HYSKY Edu – certified online training programs
HYSKY Connect – professional networking and collaboration platform
H2Hub Summit – annual virtual event on hydrogen production and infrastructure
HYSKY’s mission is simple: If it defies gravity and uses hydrogen, it’s part of our vision for sustainable flight.
For more information or to register, visit www.hysky.org.
Media Contact:
HYSKY Society – Communications Office
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